Signals expert to probe Qld rail project

A rail signalling expert working on Sydney's metro northwest project has been appointed to audit potentially disastrous signal faults within Queensland's Moreton Bay Rail Link.

The government on Thursday announced Rob Smith will head the probe after problems with the signalling system in the near-$1 billion project caused it to be delayed indefinitely.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe, who called for an independent audit of the project's procurement processes late last month, said Mr Smith had more than 20 years' experience in the design and management of rail systems.

"Mr Smith specialises in delivering rail signalling systems and his extensive knowledge will be extremely beneficial to the audit," he said.

"Ultimately this audit will determine how the signalling system was selected and why the project cannot be delivered within the expected timeframe."

Mr Hinchliffe insists the investigation will not turn into a game of political football and will be undertaken to ensure the same mistakes can be avoided.

Queensland Rail (QR) this week distanced itself from the faulty technology, saying it was not QR's preferred option after taking part in an evaluation in 2014, when the Newman government was in power.